Maui still a safe place despite racist incident

February 26, 2014

Maui racist threatens family in Kalama Park - YouTube video gone viral around the world. Not a good headline for any state or county. People have to remember that this kind of incident happens nationwide and worldwide - not just on Maui.

As a very well-traveled person, I have seen this type of bust-out anger from so-called locals. If other locals were there, I'm sure they would have intervened. For all we know, the person in this video could have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

I'm very sorry that it did happen in Kalama Park on Maui to Maui residents and their Mainland guests. However, the right thing to do is to call 911 and take the best description of the person. If you'd like to video the incident, do so in a nonobvious manner. Keep your eyes on the person at all times and remember, you're stronger as a group and not as one.

If you feel for your life, dial 911 and leave the cellphone on. The dispatch will send police units to your location.

If you're reading this letter and it was your friends who were hassled by this so-called local person, please let them know that Maui apologizes for what happened. We're still a very safe place to live.